MEDLIFE San Jose | Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica

About SAN JOSE

Map Location San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city, is located in the country’s central valley region and has a population of approximately 300,000 people. It is well-known for its extensive history, cultural attractions, and breathtaking natural beauty. The National Theater of Costa Rica, the Jade Museum, and the Central Market are among the most popular tourist attractions in San Jose. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, bird-watching, and other outdoor activities in the city’s parks and green spaces, such as La Sabana Metropolitan Park and Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo. If you’re looking to volunteer abroad in Costa Rica, MEDLIFE San Jose offers essential medicine, education, and development to underserved communities.

WHY VOLUNTEER ABROAD IN SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA?

By volunteering in San Jose, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture, interact with locals, and learn about the country’s history, traditions, and way of life. You will quickly realize why Costa Rica is generally considered a middle-income country. Poverty remains a significant issue in the country, including in San Jose. Besides the natural attractions, 1.1 million people live in poverty in Costa Rica. Around 20 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line, earning less than $155 monthly. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the economy, including the tourism industry, which has affected many individuals and families who rely on it for their livelihoods. Nowadays, many people work in the informal economy, making it difficult to access social services and benefits. Costa Rica’s tropical weather and lush scenery attract many tourists. However, that same equatorial climate also brings still water and multiple mosquito-borne illnesses, which can cause many health issues for the residents.

Highlights of the trip

Explore various inspiring and impactful service learning trip options available year-round, including classic, nursing, dental, high school, physician assistants, engineering & architecture, and more!
Airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals (mon-fri), and 24/7 in-country support.
Free medical insurance is included.
Comfortable dormitory-style rooms during your stay.
Enhance your adventure with exciting add-ons!

How You Can Help

Mobile Clinics

MEDLIFE tackles critical health issues in these communities through mobile clinics, preventative health education workshops, and patient follow-up. However, our efforts rely on dedicated individuals like you, who choose to volunteer on Service Learning Trips (SLT), making our work possible.

These are the stations in which you would participate during mobile clinics in San Jose:

Triage
General Medicine
OB/GYN
Toothbrushing
Education
Pharmacy

Development Projects

Discover the development projects you could participate in while volunteering in San Jose, Costa Rica. These projects are collaboratively designed and developed with the community to address their needs, resulting in meaningful and sustainable impact and empowered communities.

School Renovations
Home Renovations
and more!

To learn more about our volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica, download our brochure!

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE SLT BROCHURE

MEDLIFE SAN JOSE SAFETY

When you sign up for a Service Learning Trip in San Jose, Costa Rica, you are automatically registered for medical emergency insurance for the duration of your trip. Visit our travel safe page or email us at [email protected] to learn more.

Explore & Support: Enhance Your SLT Adventure

A trip to Peru would be incomplete without witnessing the majesty of Machu Picchu and experiencing the spectacular rolling sand dunes of Ica. Our optional add-ons let you dive deeper into your SLT destination, supporting MEDLIFE communities sustainably along the way.

Click here to view extension options

Explore All Upcoming Trips

Ready to make a difference in San Jose, Costa Rica? Discover our upcoming Service Learning Trip dates and join us on an unforgettable journey with MEDLIFE!

CHECK TRIP AVAILABILITY

San Jose, Costa Rica